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One of two bills introduced to legalize online poker in California has been pronounced dead for this year.
Democratic state Senator, Lou Correa of Santa Ana, a co-sponsor of the bill, said it needed to be shelved as there was not enough time left in the legislative session to get it for a vote.
Think the US Congress is bad taking off the entire month of August and a portion of September?
The California legislature not only takes off in August, they take off the rest of the year.
Correa’s decision not to vote on SB 1366 this year comes at a time where Internet poker was starting to build some momentum in the state after five years of trying.
The state’s tribal casinos remain at odds as to whether established online poker sites from outside California, such as PokerStars, should be permitted to take part in the world’s 8th largest economy’s venture into Web gambling. In particular, a number of the tribes are up in arms over allowing firms like Stars that have previously accepted California residents as customers, thus giving them a tremendous edge amongst the competition.
“Internet poker is an important public policy. We need to make sure it’s done right," Correa said.
Another pending bill that would permit online poker has also failed to move through committee. That legislation was introduced earlier this year by Assemblyman Reginald Jones-Sawyer Sr. (D-Los Angeles).
So far only three states have legalized Internet poker – Nevada, Delaware and New Jersey. The later has seen some modest success though the sector is yet to come anywhere near early forecasts.
- Ace King, Gambling911.com
